Ever since Nintendo confirmed that The Legend of Zelda has an official, branching timeline, fans have been buzzing about when each new game in the franchise takes place. The latest addition, The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, is no exception. Fans are already analyzing the first trailer and screenshots to figure out where Zelda’s new adventure fits on the timeline.
Map Clues and Timeline Placement
The biggest clue about Echoes of Wisdom’s timeline spot is the map. It looks a lot like the one from A Link to the Past and A Link Between Worlds. Reddit user FelipeKits did a side-by-side comparison of a trailer shot showing Zelda looking out over Hyrule with the map from those games (thanks, IGN). The layout is nearly identical, with the placement of Hyrule Castle and small islands in bodies of water matching up. However, Death Mountain is a bit shifted. User Scdsco noted that some environments in the trailer never appeared in A Link to the Past, but that doesn’t mean it’s not in the same timeline. Echoes of Wisdom might just be expanding on the old map.
Theory and Speculation
That’s the main theory people are going with for now. Even with detailed breakdowns, the map seems mostly the same, with a few tweaks and expansions. So, it’s pretty safe to assume Echoes of Wisdom is set in the Hero is Defeated timeline. This is the timeline where Link gets defeated by Ganondorf in Ocarina of Time. It starts with A Link to the Past, then continues with Link’s Awakening, Oracle of Seasons/Ages, A Link Between Worlds, and Tri Force Heroes, ending with the first two Legend of Zelda games.
Zora Clues and Further Timeline Placement
If that’s not specific enough, there’s another clue in the trailer. The game features both types of Zora, the river and sea versions. River Zora are the more aggressive ones that often appear as enemies, while the sea Zora are the chill ones like Prince Sidon from Breath of the Wild. Both types of Zora were only featured together in the Oracle of Ages. The trailer shows a scene where both types are in what seems to be a peaceful meeting, suggesting Echoes of Wisdom might take place after Oracle of Ages, with the two groups trying to coexist.
Conclusion and Speculation
But all of this is just speculation for now. Nintendo hasn’t always been strict about sticking to the timeline. Theorycrafting is fun, but keeping all these different timelines together can be tricky, especially since the Zelda series has been around for so long. The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom drops on Switch on September 16. Get ready to dive into another epic adventure and maybe, just maybe, figure out where it fits in the grand timeline.
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